The International Tennis Hall of Fame today made official the announcement of the 2007 Hall of Fame ballot nominees. In their first year of eligibility, Pete Sampras, winner of a record 14 Grand Slam singles championships, and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, the first Spanish woman to win the US Open (1994), have been nominated in the Recent Player category.

Sven Davidson, the first Swede to win a Grand Slam championship (French Championships, 1957) and Christine Truman Janes, winner of the French Singles Championships in 1959, are nominated in the Master Player category. Nominated in the Contributor category are Russ Adams, known as the“Dean” of tennis photographyand Dr. Robert Johnson, responsible for launching the careers of world tennis greats Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, the nation's first African-American tennis champions.

“I am very pleased to announce the selection of these accomplished individuals on our 2007 ballot,” said Tony Trabert, President of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Chairman of the Enshrinee Nominating Committee. “While the next step is the induction voting process, I think it’s fair to say that it will be another special and exciting weekend in Newport next summer when we honor the Hall of Fame Class of 2007.”

The announcement of the official 2007 induction class will occur in January and the Class of 2007 Induction Ceremony will be held at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island on Saturday, July 14.

Recent Player Nominees (2)

Pete Sampras held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks, including a streak of 102 weeks between April 15, 1996 and March 30, 1998. Sampras was ranked in the World Top 10 for 12 straight years, holding the year-end No. 1 ranking a record six consecutive years (1993-98). His singles win-loss record is an impressive 762-222, with a 203-38 record in grand slam events. In his 15-year career he captured 64 singles titles and reached the final in 24 additional tournaments.

He amassed 14 Grand Slam singles championships: seven Wimbledon singles titles, two Australian Open titles, and five US Open singles titles; his last and final appearance as an ATP pro was at the 2002 US Open, where as the No. 17 seed, he won the tournament. Only the title at Roland Garros eluded him during his career. He was honored as the ATP Player of the Year from 1993 to 1998, a record six consecutive years. He won the ATP World Championships five times (1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999) - a record he shares with Ivan Lendl. Sampras also remains the all-time leader in total career prize money, earning over $43 million.

In Davis Cup action, Sampras was a U.S. team member for eight years (1991-2; 1994-5; 1997; 1999-00; 2002; winning the Cup in 1992 and 1995. His Davis Cup record stands at 19-9 (15-8 in singles, 4-1 in doubles). Although Sampras officially retired from tournament tennis after the 2002 US Open, he returned to tennis in the summer of 2006 to play World Team Tennis for the Newport Beach Breakers.

Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario was born in Barcelona and became one of the leading ladies in Spanish tennis. She captured three singles championships at Roland Garros (1989, 1994, 1998) and became the first Spanish woman to win the US Open singles crown (1994). In total she captured 14 titles in Grand Slam events: four singles, six doubles and four mixed doubles. In a career spanning 16 years, she accumulated 29 career singles titles and 67 doubles titles.

She was ranked in the World Top 10 for 11 years with a career win-loss record of 759-295. She is a former World No. 1 ranked player, holding the top spot for twelve weeks. She was the first Spanish player to reach the No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles, and additionally held the No. 1 spot simultaneously in singles and doubles (February 13, 1995), one of only four women to achieve that feat.

Sanchez-Vicario was a standout on Spain’s Fed Cup team. She played for 16 years and was a significant force in all five of Spain’s Fed Cup winning teams (1991, 1993-95, 1998). As part of the most successful Fed Cup country in the last ten years, Sanchez-Vicario compiled a 72-28 record in 58 career ties. In doubles with Conchita Martinez, the duo had an 18-3 record, including a three set victory over Gigi Fernandez and Zina Garrison to lead Spain to their first ever Fed Cup Championship in 1991.

In 2001 Sanchez-Vicario and Martinez were presented with the inaugural Fed Cup Award of Excellence bestowed by the International Tennis Federation and International Tennis Hall of Fame, recognizing the importance of Fed Cup and honoring the individuals who represent the ideals and spirit of international competition. Sanchez-Vicario also captured four medals at the Olympics; singles bronze and doubles silver in 1992; singles silver and bronze doubles in 1996. She is the most decorated Olympian representing Spain.

Master Player Nominees (2)

Sven Davidson was born July 13, 1928 and became Sweden’s junior champion in 1947. He became the first Swede to win a Grand Slam championship (French Championships, 1957). Davidson was the prominent Swedish singles champion from 1950 through 1960, prior to the reign of Bjorn Borg (Hall of Fame 1987). Davidson was ranked in the World Top 10 as an amateur for 6 years (1953-58), earning the world No. 3 ranking in 1957. He was a finalist three consecutive years at the French Championships, claiming that major title in 1957.

He also captured the Wimbledon Doubles Championships in 1958 (with partner Ulf Schmidt). Davidson was a member of Sweden’s Davis Cup team from 1950-61 with a win-loss record of 62-23 (39-14 in singles; 23-9 in doubles). He still holds Sweden’s record for most Davis Cup doubles match wins. After his playing career, Davidson went on to cover tennis for Swedish TV (1960-64).

He was instrumental in the creation of the Stockholm Open in 1969, the first tournament in Northern Europe with official prize money. He chaired the tournament’s Committee on Management from 1969-1972, and then was designated Chairman Emeritus. Davidson is also credited with initiating the first general meeting of the International Tennis Federation ( Paris, 1968) where the advent of “open” tennis was discussed and where 47 countries agreed in principle to the idea.

Christine Truman Janes was born in England on January 16, 1941. Janes was crowned the Wimbledon Junior Champion in 1956 (age 15), and went on to become the youngest woman to win the French Singles Championships in 1959 at age 18. (Steffi Graf became the youngest in 1987; Monica Seles in 1990.) Janes also captured another major – the 1960 Australian doubles title (with Maria Bueno, Hall of Famer 1978). She reached the French singles semifinals in 1963 and the quarterfinals in 1958, 1961, 1964. At Wimbledon she was the 1961 finalist, having reached the semifinals in 1957 and 1960 (and again in 1965).

She was also a singles finalist at the 1959 US Championships as well as reaching the semifinals in 1960 and the quarterfinals in 1958, 1961 and 1963. She won the Italian Singles Championships and Swiss Singles Championships in 1959; the British Hardcourt Singles Championships in 1958 and 1960 along with the doubles title in 1968; and the South African Singles and Doubles Championships in 1965. She was ranked in the World Top 10 six times between 1957 and 1965, reaching a career high No. 2 in 1959. She played Wightman Cup between 1957-1971 (winning the Cup in 1958, 1960, 1968) and Fed Cup in 1963, 1965 and 1968, posting a 6-3 singles record and 2-2 doubles record.

Contributor Nominees (2)

Russ Adams, at age 76,has spent the last 50 years visually documenting the history of tennis. He is the face behind the camera and his work has illuminated the greatest moments and stories in the sport. Adams has photographed the Grand Slam Tournaments, all major tournaments around the world, Fed Cup, Davis Cup and the Olympics, and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for photography in 1993. His images have graced more than 250 magazine covers, believed to be more than any single photojournalist covering any discipline.

Known as the “Dean” of tennis photography, Adams has captured the game’s power, emotion, beauty and grace, while preserving its significance. In 1967, he became the official (volunteer) photographer for the U.S. National Championships at Forest Hills. The following year, with the birth of open tennis, he developed and implemented the system for on-court photographers at the first US Open Championships. He has served as Director/Liaison of Photographers for the US Open since then, and was instrumental in developing the universal “Code of Conduct,” in conjunction with the Professional Tennis Council, for photographers covering professional tennis events around the world.

His life’s work has generated over 1.6 million sporting images, and is no doubt the largest privately-held source of images in tennis. Adams is a gentleman of enormous integrity with a quiet, wry humor. As a working journalist in the massive spectrum of newspapers, wire services, books and magazines, he is held in the highest regard by media colleagues, professional tennis players and the vast administrators of the game.

Dr. Robert Johnson (1899-1971) is considered by many as the man most responsible for launching the careers of world tennis greats Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, the nation's first African-American tennis champions. During a time of racial separation, Johnson, through quiet diplomacy, was able to open the doors of competition to young African-Americans barred from mainstream competition. He persevered despite the racial barriers of that time and helped pave the way for minorities to gain acceptance and entrance into tournaments. For more than 20 years, he opened his home to tennis development and training for African-American juniors, providing them with food, equipment, financial support and guidance throughout their development. In addition, m any of Johnson's juniors earned college scholarships.

Through the American Tennis Association (ATA), which was formed in 1916, Johnson created the ATA Junior Development Program. In the 1950s and 1960s, he sponsored, trained and nurtured hundreds of African-American Juniors - and several white juniors - at his Lynchburg, Va. home, where he had a tennis court in his backyard. He initiated the integration of black tennis at the junior level, and worked as coach, trainer, sponsor and fundraiser. He was also publisher of the ATA’s annual program, distributed at the national championships, and his vehicle in keeping the membership aware of the progress of his junior players.

The names of Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe and their life achievements will long be remembered in the world of tennis; they are the individuals who broke the racial barriers, and they became champions of the sport through their own athletic abilities. However, it was the artful and insightful groundwork pioneered by Johnson, which gave Gibson and Ashe -- and all future black champions -- the stage to stand upon and be noticed.

A panel of international tennis media will vote on the Recent Player nominees. A 75% favorable vote is required for induction. The International Masters Panel, which consists of Hall of Fame inductees and other individuals who are highly knowledgeable of the sport and its history, vote on the Master Player and Contributor nominees. To be inducted as a Master Player or a Contributor, an affirmative vote of 75% is required.

The date for the Class of 2007 induction ceremony is slated for Saturday, July 14th, in conjunction with the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships (July 9-15) in Newport, Rhode Island. The International Tennis Hall of Fame has inducted 200 people representing 18 countries since its establishment in 1954. The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of tennis and its champions. For more information on the International Tennis Hall of Fame call 401-849-3990 or visit online at www.tennisfame.com.

NEW YORK - Pete Sampras heads the list of nominees for the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Sampras, who won a record 14 Grand Slam men's singles titles, is joined by Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in the "recent player" category, the Hall announced Tuesday from its home in Newport, R.I.

Sampras was ranked No. 1 for a record 286 weeks, including 102 in a row from April 1996 to March 1998. He won a total of 64 singles titles, including his haul of majors: seven at Wimbledon, five at the U.S. Open and two at the Australian Open. Sampras won the last match of his career, beating Andre Agassi in the 2002 U.S. Open final.

Sanchez Vicario won three French Opens and was the first Spanish woman to win the U.S. Open singles title in 1994. In addition to those four major singles titles, she won six doubles and four mixed doubles Grand Slam championships.

Other nominees for the Hall: Sven Davidson (the first Swedish man to win a Grand Slam title), and Christine Truman Janes (won the French Championships in 1959 at age 18) in the "master player" category; Russ Addams (photographer) and the late Robert Johnson (credited with launching the careers of Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson) in the "contributor" category.

Epic movies, like brokeback mountain, are seldom found in the industry or worthy for the mainstream viewer. As often as I have watched the clips of this movie, I always find something more to it. For one, the gay stuff doesn't enter the picture for me, only the dimension of the highest love I have ever witnessed in life or on film.

they should buy a bigger cabinet to display all his brillant results/materials and have it placed at the most eyeable place coz he won so much

__________________Rafa! Rafa! Rafa!

Epic movies, like brokeback mountain, are seldom found in the industry or worthy for the mainstream viewer. As often as I have watched the clips of this movie, I always find something more to it. For one, the gay stuff doesn't enter the picture for me, only the dimension of the highest love I have ever witnessed in life or on film.

HALL'S CALL: Pete Sampras has been called a Hall of Famer for years. Now he's about to make it official.

Sampras headed a list of nominees for the International Tennis Hall of Fame, announced yesterday. Sampras, who won a record 14 Grand Slams and was ranked No. 1 for 286 weeks, finished his career at the U.S. Open in 2002, beating Andre Agassi in the final.

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, winner of four majors, including the 1994 U.S. Open was also announced as a nominee.

He scripted a championship climax to his record-setting career by beating archrival Andre Agassi to capture the 2002 U.S. Open championship in his final professional match. Now Pete Sampras' name is about to join a list of tennis legends.

In their first year of eligibility, Sampras, winner of a record 14 Grand Slam singles championships, and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, the first Spanish woman to win the U.S. Open (1994), lead the list of nominees for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame's class of 2007.

Sampras and Sanchez-Vicario have been nominated in the Recent Player category.

Sven Davidson, the first Swede to win a Grand Slam championship (French Championships, 1957) and Christine Truman Janes, winner of the French singles championships in 1959, are nominated in the Master Player category.

Nominated in the Contributor category are Russ Adams, known as the "Dean" of tennis photography and Dr. Robert Johnson, responsible for launching the careers of world tennis greats Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, the nation's first African-American tennis champions.

"I am very pleased to announce the selection of these accomplished individuals on our 2007 ballot," said Tony Trabert, President of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Chairman of the Enshrinee Nominating Committee. "While the next step is the induction voting process, I think it’s fair to say that it will be another special and exciting weekend in Newport next summer when we honor the Hall of Fame Class of 2007."

The announcement of the official 2007 induction class will occur in January and the Class of 2007 Induction Ceremony will be held at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island on Saturday, July 14.

Sampras held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks, including a streak of 102 weeks between April 15, 1996 and March 30, 1998. Sampras was ranked in the World Top 10 for 12 straight years, holding the year-end No. 1 ranking a record six consecutive years (1993-98). His singles win-loss record is an impressive 762-222, with a 203-38 record in Grand Slam events. In his 15-year career he captured 64 singles titles and reached the final in 24 additional tournaments. He amassed 14 Grand Slam singles championships: seven Wimbledon singles titles, two Australian Open titles, and five U.S. Open singles titles; his last and final appearance as an ATP pro was at the 2002 U.S. Open, where as the No. 17 seed, he won the tournament.

Only the title at Roland Garros eluded him during his career. He was honored as the ATP Player of the Year from 1993 to 1998, a record six consecutive years. He won the ATP World Championships five times (1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999) - a record he shares with Ivan Lendl. Sampras also remains the all-time leader in total career prize money, earning over $43 million. In Davis Cup action, Sampras was a U.S. team member for eight years (1991-2; 1994-5; 1997; 1999-00; 2002; winning the Cup in 1992 and 1995. His Davis Cup record stands at 19-9 (15-8 in singles, 4-1 in doubles). Although Sampras officially retired from tournament tennis after the 2002 US Open, he returned to tennis in the summer of 2006 to play World Team Tennis for the Newport Beach Breakers.

Sanchez-Vicario was born in Barcelona and became one of the leading ladies in Spanish tennis. She captured three singles championships at Roland Garros (1989, 1994, 1998) and became the first Spanish woman to win the U.S. Open singles crown (1994). In total she captured 14 titles in Grand Slam events: four singles, six doubles and four mixed doubles. In a career spanning 16 years, she accumulated 29 career singles titles and 67 doubles titles. She was ranked in the World Top 10 for 11 years with a career win-loss record of 759-295. She is a former World No. 1 ranked player, holding the top spot for twelve weeks. She was the first Spanish player to reach the No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles, and additionally held the No. 1 spot simultaneously in singles and doubles (February 13, 1995), one of only four women to achieve that feat.

Sanchez-Vicario was a standout on Spain’s Fed Cup team. She played for 16 years and was a significant force in all five of Spain’s Fed Cup winning teams (1991, 1993-95, 1998). As part of the most successful Fed Cup country in the last ten years, Sanchez-Vicario compiled a 72-28 record in 58 career ties. In doubles with Conchita Martinez, the duo had an 18-3 record, including a three set victory over Gigi Fernandez and Zina Garrison to lead Spain to their first ever Fed Cup Championship in 1991. In 2001 Sanchez-Vicario and Martinez were presented with the inaugural Fed Cup Award of Excellence bestowed by the International Tennis Federation and International Tennis Hall of Fame, recognizing the importance of Fed Cup and honoring the individuals who represent the ideals and spirit of international competition. Sanchez-Vicario also captured four medals at the Olympics; singles bronze and doubles silver in 1992; singles silver and bronze doubles in 1996. She is the most decorated Olympian representing Spain.

Davidson was born July 13, 1928 and became Sweden’s junior champion in 1947. He became the first Swede to win a Grand Slam championship (French Championships, 1957). Davidson was the prominent Swedish singles champion from 1950 through 1960, prior to the reign of Bjorn Borg (Hall of Famer 1987). Davidson was ranked in the World Top 10 as an amateur for 6 years (1953-58), earning the world No. 3 ranking in 1957. He was a finalist three consecutive years at the French Championships, claiming that major title in 1957. He also captured the Wimbledon Doubles Championships in 1958 (with partner Ulf Schmidt). Davidson was a member of Sweden’s Davis Cup team from 1950-61 with a win-loss record of 62-23 (39-14 in singles; 23-9 in doubles). He still holds Sweden’s record for most Davis Cup doubles match wins. After his playing career, Davidson went on to cover tennis for Swedish TV (1960-64). He was instrumental in the creation of the Stockholm Open in 1969, the first tournament in Northern Europe with official prize money. He chaired the tournament’s Committee on Management from 1969-1972, and then was designated Chairman Emeritus. Davidson is also credited with initiating the first general meeting of the International Tennis Federation (Paris, 1968) where the advent of "open" tennis was discussed and where 47 countries agreed in principle to the idea.

Janes was bo rn in England on January 16, 1941. Janes was crowned the Wimbledon junior champion in 1956 (age 15), and went on to become the youngest woman to win the French singles championships in 1959 at age 18. (Steffi Graf became the youngest in 1987; Monica Seles in 1990.) Janes also captured another major – the 1960 Australian doubles title (with Maria Bueno, Hall of Famer 1978). She reached the French singles semifinals in 1963 and the quarterfinals in 1958, 1961, 1964. At Wimbledon she was the 1961 finalist, having reached the semifinals in 1957 and 1960 (and again in 1965). She was also a singles finalist at the 1959 U.S. Championships as well as reaching the semifinals in 1960 and the quarterfinals in 1958, 1961 and 1963. She won the Italian singles championships and Swiss singles championships in 1959; the British Hardcourt singles championships in 1958 and 1960 along with the doubles title in 1968; and the South African singles and doubles Championships in 1965. She was ranked in the World Top 10 six times between 1957 and 1965, reaching a career high No. 2 in 1959. She played Wightman Cup between 1957-1971 (winning the Cup in 1958, 1960, 1968) and Fed Cup in 1963, 1965 and 1968, posting a 6-3 singles record and 2-2 doubles record.

Adams, at age 76, has spent the last 50 years visually documenting the history of tennis. He is the face behind the camera and his work has illuminated the greatest moments and stories in the sport. Adams has photographed the Grand Slam Tournaments, all major tournaments around the world, Fed Cup, Davis Cup and the Olympics, and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for photography in 1993. His images have graced more than 250 magazine covers, believed to be more than any single photojournalist covering any discipline. Known as the “Dean” of tennis photography, Adams has captured the game’s power, emotion, beauty and grace, while preserving its significance. In 1967, he became the official (volunteer) photographer for the U.S. National Championships at Forest Hills. The following year, with the birth of open tennis, he developed and implemented the system for on-court photographers at the first U.S. Open Championships. He has served as Director/Liaison of Photographers for the U.S. Open since then, and was instrumental in developing the universal "Code of Conduct," in conjunction with the Professional Tennis Council, for photographers covering professional tennis events around the world. His life’s work has generated over 1.6 million sporting images, and is no doubt the largest privately-held source of images in tennis. Adams is a gentleman of enormous integrity with a quiet, wry humor. As a working journalist in the massive spectrum of newspapers, wire services, books and magazines, he is held in the highest regard by media colleagues, professional tennis players and the vast administrators of the game.

Dr. Johnson (1899-1971) is considered by many as the man most responsible for launching the careers of world tennis greats Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, the nation's first African-American tennis champions. During a time of racial separation, Johnson, through quiet diplomacy, was able to open the doors of competition to young African-Americans barred from mainstream competition. He persevered despite the racial barriers of that time and helped pave the way for minorities to gain acceptance and entrance into tournaments. For more than 20 years, he opened his home to tennis development and training for African-American juniors, providing them with food, equipment, financial support and guidance throughout their development. In addition, many of Johnson's juniors earned college scholarships. Through the American Tennis Association (ATA), which was formed in 1916, Johnson created the ATA Junior Development Program. In the 1950s and 1960s, he sponsored, trained and nurtured hundreds of African-American Juniors - and several white juniors - at his Lynchburg, Va. home, where he had a tennis court in his backyard. He initiated the integration of black tennis at the junior level, and worked as coach, trainer, sponsor and fundraiser. He was also publisher of the ATA’s annual program, distributed at the national championships, and his vehicle in keeping the membership aware of the progress of his junior players.

The names of Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe and their life achievements will long be remembered in the world of tennis; they are the individuals who broke the racial barriers, and they became champions of the sport through their own athletic abilities. However, it was the artful and insightful groundwork pioneered by Johnson, which gave Gibson and Ashe — and all future black champions — the stage to stand upon and be noticed.

A panel of international tennis media will vote on the Recent Player nominees. A 75 percent favorable vote is required for induction. The International Masters Panel, which consists of Hall of Fame inductees and other individuals who are highly knowledgeable of the sport and its history, vote on the Master Player and Contributor nominees. To be inducted as a Master Player or a Contributor, an affirmative vote of 75 percent is required.

The date for the Class of 2007 induction ceremony is slated for Saturday, July 14th, in conjunction with the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships (July 9-15) in Newport, Rhode Island. The International Tennis Hall of Fame has inducted 200 people representing 18 countries since its establishment in 1954. The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of tennis and its champions. For more information on the International Tennis Hall of Fame, please call (401) 849-3990 or visit www.tennisfame.com.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame today made official the announcement of the 2007 Hall of Fame ballot nominees. In their first year of eligibility, Pete Sampras, winner of a record 14 Grand Slam singles championships, and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, the first Spanish woman to win the US Open (1994), have been nominated in the Recent Player category.

Sven Davidson, the first Swede to win a Grand Slam championship (French Championships, 1957) and Christine Truman Janes, winner of the French Singles Championships in 1959, are nominated in the Master Player category. Nominated in the Contributor category are Russ Adams, known as the“Dean” of tennis photographyand Dr. Robert Johnson, responsible for launching the careers of world tennis greats Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, the nation's first African-American tennis champions.

“I am very pleased to announce the selection of these accomplished individuals on our 2007 ballot,” said Tony Trabert, President of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Chairman of the Enshrinee Nominating Committee. “While the next step is the induction voting process, I think it’s fair to say that it will be another special and exciting weekend in Newport next summer when we honor the Hall of Fame Class of 2007.”

The announcement of the official 2007 induction class will occur in January and the Class of 2007 Induction Ceremony will be held at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island on Saturday, July 14.

Recent Player Nominees (2)

Pete Sampras held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks, including a streak of 102 weeks between April 15, 1996 and March 30, 1998. Sampras was ranked in the World Top 10 for 12 straight years, holding the year-end No. 1 ranking a record six consecutive years (1993-98). His singles win-loss record is an impressive 762-222, with a 203-38 record in grand slam events. In his 15-year career he captured 64 singles titles and reached the final in 24 additional tournaments.

He amassed 14 Grand Slam singles championships: seven Wimbledon singles titles, two Australian Open titles, and five US Open singles titles; his last and final appearance as an ATP pro was at the 2002 US Open, where as the No. 17 seed, he won the tournament. Only the title at Roland Garros eluded him during his career. He was honored as the ATP Player of the Year from 1993 to 1998, a record six consecutive years. He won the ATP World Championships five times (1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999) - a record he shares with Ivan Lendl. Sampras also remains the all-time leader in total career prize money, earning over $43 million.

In Davis Cup action, Sampras was a U.S. team member for eight years (1991-2; 1994-5; 1997; 1999-00; 2002; winning the Cup in 1992 and 1995. His Davis Cup record stands at 19-9 (15-8 in singles, 4-1 in doubles). Although Sampras officially retired from tournament tennis after the 2002 US Open, he returned to tennis in the summer of 2006 to play World Team Tennis for the Newport Beach Breakers.

Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario was born in Barcelona and became one of the leading ladies in Spanish tennis. She captured three singles championships at Roland Garros (1989, 1994, 1998) and became the first Spanish woman to win the US Open singles crown (1994). In total she captured 14 titles in Grand Slam events: four singles, six doubles and four mixed doubles. In a career spanning 16 years, she accumulated 29 career singles titles and 67 doubles titles.

She was ranked in the World Top 10 for 11 years with a career win-loss record of 759-295. She is a former World No. 1 ranked player, holding the top spot for twelve weeks. She was the first Spanish player to reach the No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles, and additionally held the No. 1 spot simultaneously in singles and doubles (February 13, 1995), one of only four women to achieve that feat.

Sanchez-Vicario was a standout on Spain’s Fed Cup team. She played for 16 years and was a significant force in all five of Spain’s Fed Cup winning teams (1991, 1993-95, 1998). As part of the most successful Fed Cup country in the last ten years, Sanchez-Vicario compiled a 72-28 record in 58 career ties. In doubles with Conchita Martinez, the duo had an 18-3 record, including a three set victory over Gigi Fernandez and Zina Garrison to lead Spain to their first ever Fed Cup Championship in 1991.

In 2001 Sanchez-Vicario and Martinez were presented with the inaugural Fed Cup Award of Excellence bestowed by the International Tennis Federation and International Tennis Hall of Fame, recognizing the importance of Fed Cup and honoring the individuals who represent the ideals and spirit of international competition. Sanchez-Vicario also captured four medals at the Olympics; singles bronze and doubles silver in 1992; singles silver and bronze doubles in 1996. She is the most decorated Olympian representing Spain.

Master Player Nominees (2)

Sven Davidson was born July 13, 1928 and became Sweden’s junior champion in 1947. He became the first Swede to win a Grand Slam championship (French Championships, 1957). Davidson was the prominent Swedish singles champion from 1950 through 1960, prior to the reign of Bjorn Borg (Hall of Fame 1987). Davidson was ranked in the World Top 10 as an amateur for 6 years (1953-58), earning the world No. 3 ranking in 1957. He was a finalist three consecutive years at the French Championships, claiming that major title in 1957.

He also captured the Wimbledon Doubles Championships in 1958 (with partner Ulf Schmidt). Davidson was a member of Sweden’s Davis Cup team from 1950-61 with a win-loss record of 62-23 (39-14 in singles; 23-9 in doubles). He still holds Sweden’s record for most Davis Cup doubles match wins. After his playing career, Davidson went on to cover tennis for Swedish TV (1960-64).

He was instrumental in the creation of the Stockholm Open in 1969, the first tournament in Northern Europe with official prize money. He chaired the tournament’s Committee on Management from 1969-1972, and then was designated Chairman Emeritus. Davidson is also credited with initiating the first general meeting of the International Tennis Federation ( Paris, 1968) where the advent of “open” tennis was discussed and where 47 countries agreed in principle to the idea.

Christine Truman Janes was born in England on January 16, 1941. Janes was crowned the Wimbledon Junior Champion in 1956 (age 15), and went on to become the youngest woman to win the French Singles Championships in 1959 at age 18. (Steffi Graf became the youngest in 1987; Monica Seles in 1990.) Janes also captured another major – the 1960 Australian doubles title (with Maria Bueno, Hall of Famer 1978). She reached the French singles semifinals in 1963 and the quarterfinals in 1958, 1961, 1964. At Wimbledon she was the 1961 finalist, having reached the semifinals in 1957 and 1960 (and again in 1965).

She was also a singles finalist at the 1959 US Championships as well as reaching the semifinals in 1960 and the quarterfinals in 1958, 1961 and 1963. She won the Italian Singles Championships and Swiss Singles Championships in 1959; the British Hardcourt Singles Championships in 1958 and 1960 along with the doubles title in 1968; and the South African Singles and Doubles Championships in 1965. She was ranked in the World Top 10 six times between 1957 and 1965, reaching a career high No. 2 in 1959. She played Wightman Cup between 1957-1971 (winning the Cup in 1958, 1960, 1968) and Fed Cup in 1963, 1965 and 1968, posting a 6-3 singles record and 2-2 doubles record.

Contributor Nominees (2)

Russ Adams, at age 76,has spent the last 50 years visually documenting the history of tennis. He is the face behind the camera and his work has illuminated the greatest moments and stories in the sport. Adams has photographed the Grand Slam Tournaments, all major tournaments around the world, Fed Cup, Davis Cup and the Olympics, and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for photography in 1993. His images have graced more than 250 magazine covers, believed to be more than any single photojournalist covering any discipline.

Known as the “Dean” of tennis photography, Adams has captured the game’s power, emotion, beauty and grace, while preserving its significance. In 1967, he became the official (volunteer) photographer for the U.S. National Championships at Forest Hills. The following year, with the birth of open tennis, he developed and implemented the system for on-court photographers at the first US Open Championships. He has served as Director/Liaison of Photographers for the US Open since then, and was instrumental in developing the universal “Code of Conduct,” in conjunction with the Professional Tennis Council, for photographers covering professional tennis events around the world.

His life’s work has generated over 1.6 million sporting images, and is no doubt the largest privately-held source of images in tennis. Adams is a gentleman of enormous integrity with a quiet, wry humor. As a working journalist in the massive spectrum of newspapers, wire services, books and magazines, he is held in the highest regard by media colleagues, professional tennis players and the vast administrators of the game.

Dr. Robert Johnson (1899-1971) is considered by many as the man most responsible for launching the careers of world tennis greats Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, the nation's first African-American tennis champions. During a time of racial separation, Johnson, through quiet diplomacy, was able to open the doors of competition to young African-Americans barred from mainstream competition. He persevered despite the racial barriers of that time and helped pave the way for minorities to gain acceptance and entrance into tournaments. For more than 20 years, he opened his home to tennis development and training for African-American juniors, providing them with food, equipment, financial support and guidance throughout their development. In addition, m any of Johnson's juniors earned college scholarships.

Through the American Tennis Association (ATA), which was formed in 1916, Johnson created the ATA Junior Development Program. In the 1950s and 1960s, he sponsored, trained and nurtured hundreds of African-American Juniors - and several white juniors - at his Lynchburg, Va. home, where he had a tennis court in his backyard. He initiated the integration of black tennis at the junior level, and worked as coach, trainer, sponsor and fundraiser. He was also publisher of the ATA’s annual program, distributed at the national championships, and his vehicle in keeping the membership aware of the progress of his junior players.

The names of Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe and their life achievements will long be remembered in the world of tennis; they are the individuals who broke the racial barriers, and they became champions of the sport through their own athletic abilities. However, it was the artful and insightful groundwork pioneered by Johnson, which gave Gibson and Ashe -- and all future black champions -- the stage to stand upon and be noticed.

A panel of international tennis media will vote on the Recent Player nominees. A 75% favorable vote is required for induction. The International Masters Panel, which consists of Hall of Fame inductees and other individuals who are highly knowledgeable of the sport and its history, vote on the Master Player and Contributor nominees. To be inducted as a Master Player or a Contributor, an affirmative vote of 75% is required.

The date for the Class of 2007 induction ceremony is slated for Saturday, July 14th, in conjunction with the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships (July 9-15) in Newport, Rhode Island. The International Tennis Hall of Fame has inducted 200 people representing 18 countries since its establishment in 1954. The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of tennis and its champions. For more information on the International Tennis Hall of Fame call 401-849-3990 or visit online at www.tennisfame.com.

International Tennis HOF Ballot Names Six 2007 Hopefuls courtesy of the International Tennis HOF

The International Tennis Hall of Fame's 2007 ballot contains the name of six individuals. In their first year of eligibility, Pete Sampras, winner of a record 14 Grand Slam singles championships, and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, the first Spanish woman to win the US Open (1994), have been nominated in the Recent Player category.

Sven Davidson, the first Swede to win a Grand Slam championship (French Championships, 1957) and Christine Truman Janes, winner of the French Singles Championships in 1959, are nominated in the Master Player category. Nominated in the Contributor category are Russ Adams, known as the “Dean” of tennis photography and Dr. Robert Johnson, responsible for launching the careers of world tennis greats Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, the nation's first African-American tennis champions.

The announcement of the official 2007 induction class will occur in January and the Class of 2007 Induction Ceremony will be held at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island on Saturday, July 14.

Pete Sampras held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks, including a streak of 102 weeks between April 15, 1996 and March 30, 1998. Sampras was ranked in the World Top 10 for 12 straight years, holding the year-end No. 1 ranking a record six consecutive years (1993-98). His singles win-loss record is an impressive 762-222, with a 203-38 record in grand slam events. In his 15-year career he captured 64 singles titles and reached the final in 24 additional tournaments. He amassed 14 Grand Slam singles championships: seven Wimbledon singles titles, two Australian Open titles, and five US Open singles titles; his last and final appearance as an ATP pro was at the 2002 US Open, where as the No. 17 seed, he won the tournament. Only the title at Roland Garros eluded him during his career.

He was honored as the ATP Player of the Year from 1993 to 1998, a record six consecutive years. He won the ATP World Championships five times (1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999) - a record he shares with Ivan Lendl. Sampras also remains the all-time leader in total career prize money, earning over $43 million.

In Davis Cup action, Sampras was a U.S. team member for eight years (1991-2; 1994-5; 1997; 1999-00; 2002; winning the Cup in 1992 and 1995. His Davis Cup record stands at 19-9 (15-8 in singles, 4-1 in doubles).

Although Sampras officially retired from tournament tennis after the 2002 US Open, he returned to tennis in the summer of 2006 to play World Team Tennis for the Newport Beach Breakers.

Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario was born in Barcelona and became one of the leading ladies in Spanish tennis. She captured three singles championships at Roland Garros (1989, 1994, 1998) and became the first Spanish woman to win the US Open singles crown (1994). In total she captured 14 titles in Grand Slam events: four singles, six doubles and four mixed doubles. In a career spanning 16 years, she accumulated 29 career singles titles and 67 doubles titles.

She was ranked in the World Top 10 for 11 years with a career win-loss record of 759-295. She is a former World No. 1 ranked player, holding the top spot for twelve weeks. She was the first Spanish player to reach the No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles, and additionally held the No. 1 spot simultaneously in singles and doubles (February 13, 1995), one of only four women to achieve that feat.

Sanchez-Vicario was a standout on Spain’s Fed Cup team. She played for 16 years and was a significant force in all five of Spain’s Fed Cup winning teams (1991, 1993-95, 1998). As part of the most successful Fed Cup country in the last ten years, Sanchez-Vicario compiled a 72-28 record in 58 career ties. In doubles with Conchita Martinez, the duo had an 18-3 record, including a three set victory over Gigi Fernandez and Zina Garrison to lead Spain to their first ever Fed Cup Championship in 1991. In 2001 Sanchez-Vicario and Martinez were presented with the inaugural Fed Cup Award of Excellence bestowed by the International Tennis Federation and International Tennis Hall of Fame, recognizing the importance of Fed Cup and honoring the individuals who represent the ideals and spirit of international competition.

Sanchez-Vicario also captured four medals at the Olympics; singles bronze and doubles silver in 1992; singles silver and bronze doubles in 1996. She is the most decorated Olympian representing Spain.

Nominated in the Master Player category is Sven Davidson, born July 13, 1928, and became Sweden’s junior champion in 1947. He then became the first Swede to win a Grand Slam championship (French Championships, 1957). Davidson was the prominent Swedish singles champion from 1950 through 1960, prior to the reign of Bjorn Borg (Hall of Famer 1987). Davidson was ranked in the World Top 10 as an amateur for 6 years (1953-58), earning the world No. 3 ranking in 1957. He was a finalist three consecutive years at the French Championships, claiming that major title in 1957. He also captured the Wimbledon Doubles Championships in 1958 (with partner Ulf Schmidt). Davidson was a member of Sweden’s Davis Cup team from 1950-61 with a win-loss record of 62-23 (39-14 in singles; 23-9 in doubles). He still holds Sweden’s record for most Davis Cup doubles match wins. After his playing career, Davidson went on to cover tennis for Swedish TV (1960-64). He was instrumental in the creation of the Stockholm Open in 1969, the first tournament in Northern Europe with official prize money. He chaired the tournament’s Committee on Management from 1969-1972, and then was designated Chairman Emeritus. Davidson is also credited with initiating the first general meeting of the International Tennis Federation (Paris, 1968) where the advent of “open” tennis was discussed and where 47 countries agreed in principle to the idea.

Christine Truman Janes was born in England on January 16, 1941 and is also nominated in the Master Player category. Janes was crowned the Wimbledon Junior Champion in 1956 (age 15), and went on to become the youngest woman to win the French Singles Championships in 1959 at age 18. (Steffi Graf became the youngest in 1987; Monica Seles in 1990.) Janes also captured another major – the 1960 Australian doubles title (with Maria Bueno, Hall of Famer 1978). She reached the French singles semifinals in 1963 and the quarterfinals in 1958, 1961, 1964. At Wimbledon she was the 1961 finalist, having reached the semifinals in 1957 and 1960 (and again in 1965). She was also a singles finalist at the 1959 US Championships as well as reaching the semifinals in 1960 and the quarterfinals in 1958, 1961 and 1963. She won the Italian Singles Championships and Swiss Singles Championships in 1959; the British Hardcourt Singles Championships in 1958 and 1960 along with the doubles title in 1968; and the South African Singles and Doubles Championships in 1965. She was ranked in the World Top 10 six times between 1957 and 1965, reaching a career high No. 2 in 1959. She played Wightman Cup between 1957-1971 (winning the Cup in 1958, 1960, 1968) and Fed Cup in 1963, 1965 and 1968, posting a 6-3 singles record and 2-2 doubles record.

Russ Adams, at age 76, has spent the last 50 years visually documenting the history of tennis. Nominated in the Contributor category, Adams is the face behind the camera and his work has illuminated the greatest moments and stories in the sport. Adams has photographed the Grand Slam Tournaments, all major tournaments around the world, Fed Cup, Davis Cup and the Olympics, and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for photography in 1993. His images have graced more than 250 magazine covers, believed to be more than any single photojournalist covering any discipline.

Known as the “Dean” of tennis photography, Adams has captured the game’s power, emotion, beauty and grace, while preserving its significance. In 1967, he became the official (volunteer) photographer for the U.S. National Championships at Forest Hills. The following year, with the birth of open tennis, he developed and implemented the system for on-court photographers at the first US Open Championships. He has served as Director/Liaison of Photographers for the US Open since then, and was instrumental in developing the universal “Code of Conduct,” in conjunction with the Professional Tennis Council, for photographers covering professional tennis events around the world.

His life’s work has generated over 1.6 million sporting images, and is no doubt the largest privately-held source of images in tennis. Adams is a gentleman of enormous integrity with a quiet, wry humor. As a working journalist in the massive spectrum of newspapers, wire services, books and magazines, he is held in the highest regard by media colleagues, professional tennis players and the vast administrators of the game.

Also nominated in the Contributor category is Dr. Robert Johnson (1899-1971) is considered by many as the man most responsible for launching the careers of world tennis greats Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, the nation's first African-American tennis champions. During a time of racial separation, Johnson, through quiet diplomacy, was able to open the doors of competition to young African-Americans barred from mainstream competition. He persevered despite the racial barriers of that time and helped pave the way for minorities to gain acceptance and entrance into tournaments. For more than 20 years, he opened his home to tennis development and training for African-American juniors, providing them with food, equipment, financial support and guidance throughout their development. In addition, many of Johnson's juniors earned college scholarships.

Through the American Tennis Association (ATA), which was formed in 1916, Johnson created the ATA Junior Development Program. In the 1950s and 1960s, he sponsored, trained and nurtured hundreds of African-American Juniors - and several white juniors - at his Lynchburg, Va. home, where he had a tennis court in his backyard. He initiated the integration of black tennis at the junior level, and worked as coach, trainer, sponsor and fundraiser. He was also publisher of the ATA’s annual program, distributed at the national championships, and his vehicle in keeping the membership aware of the progress of his junior players.

The names of Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe and their life achievements will long be remembered in the world of tennis; they are the individuals who broke the racial barriers, and they became champions of the sport through their own athletic abilities. However, it was the artful and insightful groundwork pioneered by Johnson, which gave Gibson and Ashe -- and all future black champions -- the stage to stand upon and be noticed.

A panel of international tennis media will vote on the Recent Player nominees. A 75% favorable vote is required for induction. The International Masters Panel, which consists of Hall of Fame inductees and other individuals who are highly knowledgeable of the sport and its history, vote on the Master Player and Contributor nominees. To be inducted as a Master Player or a Contributor, an affirmative vote of 75% is required.

The date for the Class of 2007 induction ceremony is slated for Saturday, July 14th, in conjunction with the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships (July 9-15) in Newport, Rhode Island. The International Tennis Hall of Fame has inducted 200 people representing 18 countries since its establishment in 1954. The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of tennis and its champions.

International Tennis Hall of Fame induction day single tickets sold out November 28, 2006

The International Tennis Hall of Fame has announced that individual tickets for Saturday, July 14, which include the annual Hall of Fame Class of 2007 Induction Ceremony and semifinal matches of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, are sold out.

A limited number of Series Tickets are still available. A Series Ticket for the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships is valid for all seven tennis sessions, starting Monday, July 9 through Sunday, July 15 and includes the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and semifinal matches on Saturday, July 14. A Series Ticket offers great stadium seating locations and up to 30% savings for all seven sessions with Court Chairs priced at $195 and $165 for South Stand locations.

Series Tickets and individual tennis session tickets for the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships can be obtained online at www.tennisfame.com or by calling 866-914-FAME.

Leading the Class of 2007 induction ballot are Pete Sampras, winner of a record 14 Grand Slam Singles Championships, and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, the first Spanish woman to claim the world number one ranking. Rounding out the ballot are Master Players Sven Davidson and Christine Truman Janes and Contributors Russ Adams and Dr. Robert Johnson.

The Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships will be played July 9-15 on the legendary grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, played for the Van Alen Cup, features the top men in professional tennis competing in the only ATP event played on grass in North America.

Five years after he retired from the men’s pro tennis tour, Pete Sampras remains a marquee attraction.

His July 14 induction ceremony to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, which will precede the semifinals of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, sold out in the weeks between the September announcement that he was on the ballot and the December count of the vote.

The July 15 Hall of Fame Classic, a 10 a.m. separate admission exhibition featuring Sampras and former pro Todd Martin in singles and Hall of Famers Rod Laver and Stan Smith in doubles, is sold out.

“It’s pretty amazing the marketing power of Pete Sampras,” said Mark Stenning, chief executive of the Hall of Fame.

Sampras drew large crowds to the Champions Cup Boston event this month, his return to competitive tennis for the first time since he left after beating Andre Agassi in the final of the 2002 U.S. Open. He is in Greece this weekend for the Athens Champions Cup, an event that Hall of Famer Jim Courier, the tour founder, put together after Sampras agreed to join. Sampras took his family with him for his first visit to his ancestral homeland.

The Champions circuit is coming to Newport Aug. 22-26 in the form of the Gibson Guitar Champions Cup. Courier, John McEnroe, Mats Wilander, Pat Cash and Wayne Ferreira have entered, leaving Stenning three spots to fill. Michael Chang is a possibility but is nursing an injury. Sampras has given no indication that he would return to the Newpoprt Casino a month after he enters the Hall of Fame, but Stenning and others are wondering if he will reconsider after spending a weekend experiencing the intimate atmosphere of the Horseshoe Piazza and Bill Talbert Stadium and absorbing more than a century’s worth of tennis history in the Hall of Fame museum.

“The answer is it remains to be seen,” Stenning said.

Sampras’ first visit to Newport is shaping up as the highlight of Newport Tennis Week 2007. He has asked his coach, Paul Annacone, a Newport participant when he was on the ATP tour, to present him for induction. Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario of Spain, Sven Davidson of Sweden and Massacusetts-based photographer Russ Adams will also be inducted. Hall of Famer Bud Collins will present Adams, an icon among the visual chroniclers of the game.

Mardy Fish is the only Top 30 player entered in the July 9-15 Hall of Fame tournament so far. James Blake, a regular who did not play in 2006, and Robby Ginepri, who also has played Newport several times, are skipping the tournament this summer.

“Robby is playing an exhibition, and James is in the stratosphere now,” Stenning said.

Despite the absence of more familiar names from the draw, only 50 seats remain available for the finals on Sunday, July 15. Check tennisfame.com or call the tournament office at (401) 849-6053 for details.

Bristol salutes Partington

The Town of Bristol and the Bristol-Warren Regional School District will honor a former longtime teacher and tennis coach when it dedicates the Mt. Hope High School courts on Chestnut Street to John Partington next Sunday (May 27) at noon.

Partington taught math and tennis until retiring in 1980. He was a highly regarded figure in the classroom and on the tennis court and is still well-known in town.

“He is a terrific human being. If you had any problem in math, you could see him for help. His wife Trudy is a sweetheart. They are the nicest people in the world,” said Jackie O’Brien, a 1980 graduate of the former Bristol High School and an administrative assistant in the Bristol Parks and Recreation Department. Partington was the town’s recreation director for several years and launched the recreation department summer tennis program that continues to this day.

Partington, 85, started boys tennis at Bristol High in 1967 and was inducted into the Rhode Island Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1984. He played tennis until he was 82.

William Estrella, chairman of the Bristol-Warren School Committee, will serve as master of ceremonies for the event. Diane Mederos, Bristol Town Administrator, Ken Marshall, Town Council chairman, Marc Heddon, a longtime friend, and Partington will speak. A stone monument with an engraved plaque will be unveiled. The public is invited.

Get your serve set

Here are two tournaments to add to the calendar that appeared last week in this space.

The Community College of Rhode Island’s Joana Augustine (Providence) became the school’s first tennis All-America when she reached the final of the NJCAA Division III Women’s Singles Championship in Plano, Texas. She lost to Maya Vankineni of Oxford College, 6-0, 6-1, and earned second-team All-America recognition. Jonathan Delfino in 1997 and Jason Garrahan in 2006 were Academic All-America tennis players. The No. 2 doubles team of Vanitda Thongithavong (Providence) and Jennie Sandahl lost the consolation final to Abby Geronimo and Lauren Petrolito of Gloucester County College, 8-4 . . . If you are interested in the future of tennis in South County, don’t forget the informational meeting Sandy Sweet and URI women’s tennis coach Sandy Wood are having tomorrow night at 7 o’clock at the Neighborhood Guild in Peace Dale to discuss their ideas for a member-owned tennis club in South Kingstown . . . The Blacksone Valley Tennis Association will hold its seventh USTA Recreational Coaches’ Workshop June 16 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Slater Park in Pawtucket. The program is geared to those who want to work with new tennis players of those with lower skill levels. Paul Gagliardi, a teaching pro, will be the instructor. The registration fee of $15 includes lunch, fruit, snacks and water. Send it to BVTA, P.O. Box 7302, Cumberland, RI 02864. Contact Joanne Macksoud at (508) 212-8187 or jam10scoach@aol.com.